Controlled environment shipping containers

ABSTRACT

Systems and apparatus are provided for maintaining an ultra low oxygen concentration in a shipping container for the purpose of preventing spoilage of perishable food products. The system and apparatus may contain a composition of a mixture of gases including one or more of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and another inert gas, wherein the mixture of gases positively pressurizes the shipping container with an ultra low oxygen concentration. The system and apparatus may use one or more sensors to monitor the composition of the mixture of gases, and may use one or more controllers to release the compressed gases into the interior of the container. The controller may release the compressed gases at a variable rate of release sufficient to maintain the ultra low oxygen concentration and to ensure consistent concentrations of the mixture of gases with the container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/694,674, filed Apr. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,426,177, issuedOct. 1, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/986,210, filed on Apr. 30, 2014. This application is also relatedto PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/027317, filed on Apr. 23, 2015. Theentire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

In a normal atmospheric environment, the storage life of perishable foodproducts is limited. Traditional modified atmosphere packaging replacesthe normal atmospheric environment before storage or shipment, but theenvironment is not modified over time. The traditional modifiedatmosphere packaging has limitations stemming from no atmospheremodification after sealing until delivery. This can result in prematureproduct spoilage caused by unacceptably high oxygen concentrations dueto emissions from the product or interior packaging components, thepermeability of the packaging materials or a broken seal. Some prior artmodified atmosphere shipping containers rely on gas permeable membranesto regulate the gas composition within a container by molecularseparation. Other prior art containers rely on a reactive fuel cellusing a chemical process to remove oxygen. The limitations of thecurrent modified atmosphere shipping systems include their high cost,operational complexity, the inability to optimize the ratio of inertgasses, and the limited rate of gas treatment or discharge. Theselimitations are addressed by the inventions described herein.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a controlled environmentsystem, device, and apparatus that maintain a low oxygen concentrationto slow the rate of spoilage of perishable food products. For example,the controlled environment apparatus releases stored gases to maintainan ultra low oxygen concentration environment to prevent spoilage ofperishable food products.

In some embodiments, the system or apparatus for maintaining an ultralow oxygen concentration may comprise a shipping container that includesa plurality of walls. The system or apparatus may contain a compositionof a mixture of gases including one or more of nitrogen, carbon dioxide,and another inert gas, wherein the mixture of gases positivelypressurizes the shipping container and has an ultra low oxygenconcentration. In some embodiments, at least one source of a compressedor liquid nitrogen, a carbon dioxide, and an inert gas may be used tomaintain the composition of the mixture of gases The system or apparatusmay use one or more sensors to monitor the composition of the mixture ofgases The system or apparatus may also use one or more controllers torelease the compressed gases into the interior of the container, whereina variable rate of release is sufficient to maintain the ultra lowoxygen concentration and to ensure consistent concentrations of themixture of gases within the container The system or apparatus maymaintain the ultra low oxygen concentration for the purpose ofpreventing spoilage of perishable food products.

In some embodiments, the shipping container is a standard or ControlledAtmosphere (“CA”) refrigerated shipping container.

In some embodiments, the ultra low oxygen concentration is less thanabout 6,000 ppm. In other embodiments, the ultra low oxygenconcentration may be less than 4,000 ppm or less than 2,000 ppm.

In some embodiments, the composition of the mixture of gases includescarbon dioxide. In these and other embodiments, the composition of themixture of gases may include nitrogen or one or more inert gasses, suchas argon, krypton and helium.

In some embodiments, one sensor monitors oxygen concentration. In theseand other embodiments, other sensors may monitor other gasconcentrations, rate of use of the stored compressed gases, andtemperature in the container.

In some embodiments, the controller may integrate predictive algorithmsto regulate the rate of release of the stored compressed gas. Inembodiments, the controller may regulate release of the gas at a ratewhich anticipates leakage or other sources of contribution of oxygen. Inother embodiments, the controller may be coupled to an oxygen sensor tominimize or shut off stored compressed gas release when the oxygen levelis at or below a minimum set point.

In some embodiments, the one or more sensors maintain an electronicrecord, such as a log, of one or more of a temperature, the gas mixtureconcentrations, and the rate of use of the stored gas.

In some embodiments, a power supply may be linked to container or beindependent of container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an example computer networkenvironment in which embodiments of the invention are deployed.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of certain components of the computer nodesin the network of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a system or apparatus comprising a pluralityof cartons in an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a system or apparatus in another embodimentfocusing on a controller coupled to an oxygen sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of example embodiments of the invention follows.

Digital Processing Environment

Example implementations of controllers to release the compressed gasesinto the interior of the controlled environment shipping containers maybe implemented in a software, firmware, or hardware environment. FIG. 1Aillustrates one such example digital processing environment in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Clientcomputers/devices 150 and server computer/devices 160 (or a cloudnetwork 170) provide processing, storage, and input/output devicesexecuting application programs and the like.

Client computers/devices 150 may be linked directly or throughcommunications network 170 to other computing devices, including otherclient computers/devices 150 and server computer/devices 160. Thecommunication network 170 can be part of a wireless or wired network,remote access network, a global network (i.e. Internet), a worldwidecollection of computers, local area or wide area networks, and gateways,routers, and switches that currently use a variety of protocols (e.g.TCP/IP, Bluetooth®, RTM, etc.) to communicate with one another. Thecommunication network 170 may take a variety of forms, including, butnot limited to, a data network, voice network (e.g. land-line, mobile,etc.), audio network, video network, satellite network, radio network,and pager network. Other electronic device/computer networksarchitectures are also suitable.

Client computers/devices 150 may be sensors, such as gas and temperaturesensors, that monitor and log conditions in the shipping container.Server computers 160 may be controllers configured to provide acontrolled environment system 100 which communicates with client devices150, such as the gas and temperature sensors, for controlling therelease of compressed gases into the interior of the shippingcontainers. The server computers may not be separate server computersbut part of cloud network 170. In some embodiments, a server computer(controller) may operate locally within the shipping container. In theseembodiment and other embodiments, the controller may be an industrialprogrammable logic controller (PLC), or other such controller configuredwith firmware similar to PLC firmware. The sensors 150 may communicateinformation regarding the conditions of a shipping container, such asthe gas concentrations or temperature, to the controllers 160. In someembodiments, the sensors 150 may include client applications executingon the sensors 150 for monitoring and logging the conditions, andcommunicating the information regarding the conditions to thecontrollers 160. Client computers/devices 150 may also be devices toconfigure the sensors 150 and controllers 160, such as configuring thegas concentration thresholds for releasing compressed gases into theinterior of the shipping container.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of any internal structure of acomputer/computing node (e.g., client processor/device 150 or servercomputers 160) in the processing environment of FIG. 1A, which may beused to facilitate processing audio, image, video or data signalinformation. Each computer 150, 160 in FIG. 1B contains a system bus110, where a bus is a set of actual or virtual hardware lines used fordata transfer among the components of a computer or processing system.The system bus 110 is essentially a shared conduit that connectsdifferent elements of a computer system (e.g., processor, disk storage,memory, input/output ports, etc.) that enables the transfer of databetween elements.

Attached to the system bus 110 is an I/O device interface 111 forconnecting various input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse,touch screen interface, displays, printers, speakers, audio inputs andoutputs, video inputs and outputs, microphone jacks, etc.) to thecomputer 150, 160. A network interface 113 allows the computer toconnect to various other devices attached to a network (for example thenetwork illustrated at 170 of FIG. 1A). Memory 114 provides volatilestorage for computer software instructions 115 and data 116 used toimplement software implementations of the present invention (e.g.controllers 240, 340 and sensors 250, 350 of FIGS. 2 and 3).

Software components 115, 116 of the controlled environment system 100(e.g. FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3) described herein may be configured usingany programming language, including any high-level, object-orientedprogramming language.

The server may include instances of the controlled environment system200 (FIG. 2) or 300 (FIG. 3), which can be implemented as a client 150(e.g., sensors) that communicates to the server 160 (e.g., controller)utilizing various means, including encrypted data packets (e.g. viaSSL), and may contain information regarding the gas concentrations ortemperature of the shipping container. In addition, the system mayinclude other instances of client processes executing on other clientcomputers/devices 150, such as a client application that may communicatewith the server (e.g., controller) to configure the parameters forreleasing or shutting off release of gases from the stored compressedgas source. In some embodiments, the computing device 150 forconfiguring the parameters may be implemented via a software embodimentand may operate, at least partially, within a browser session.

In an example mobile implementation, a mobile agent implementation ofthe invention may be provided. A client server environment can be usedto enable mobile configuration or monitoring of the sensors 150 orcontroller 160. It can use, for example, the XMPP protocol to tether aconfiguration server 115 on a device 150 to controller 160 or sensor150. The server 160 can then issue commands via the mobile phone onrequest. The mobile user interface framework to access certaincomponents of the system 100 may be based on XHP, Javelin and WURFL. Inanother example mobile implementation for OS X, iOS, and Androidoperating systems and their respective APIs, Cocoa and Cocoa Touch maybe used to implement the client side components 115 using Objective-C orany other high-level programming language that adds Smalltalk-stylemessaging to the C programming language.

The system may also include instances of server processes on the servercomputers 160 that may comprise a controller 240 (FIG. 2) or 340 (FIG.3), which allows monitor the sensors 250 (FIG. 2) or 350 (FIG. 3) of thecontrolled environment system to detect a low concentration of aparticular gas, such as an ultra low oxygen concentration, or adjustingthe sensors based on detected conditions of the controlled environment.The system may also include instances of server processes which releasecompressed gas into the interior of the container at various rates ofrelease, and logs the gas concentrations or temperature in thecontrolled environment. In some embodiments, the server processes maycomprise an industrial PLC, 240 (FIG. 2) or 340 (FIG. 3), or other suchcontroller configured with firmware similar to PLC firmware.

Disk storage 117 provides non-volatile storage for computer softwareinstructions 115 (equivalently “OS program”) and data 116 used toimplement embodiments of the system 100. The system may include diskstorage accessible to the server computer 160. The server computer(e.g., controller) or client computer (e.g., sensors) may storeinformation, such as logs, regarding the gas concentrations ortemperature of the controlled environment. Central processor unit 112 isalso attached to the system bus 110 and provides for the execution ofcomputer instructions. Software implementations 115, 116 may beimplemented as a computer readable medium capable of being stored on astorage device 117, which provides at least a portion of the softwareinstructions for the controlled environment system. Executing instancesof respective software components of the controlled environment system,may be implemented as computer program products 115 (e.g., PLCfirmware), and can be installed by any suitable software installationprocedure, as is well known in the art. In another embodiment, at leasta portion of the system software instructions 115 may be downloaded overa cable, communication and/or wireless connection via, for example, abrowser SSL session or through an app (whether executed from a mobile orother computing device). In other embodiments, the system 100 softwarecomponents 115, may be implemented as a computer program propagatedsignal product embodied on a propagated signal on a propagation medium(e.g. a radio wave, an infrared wave, a laser wave, a sound wave, or anelectrical wave propagated over a global network such as the Internet,or other networks. Such carrier medium or signal provides at least aportion of the software instructions for the present controlledenvironment system 100 of FIG. 1A.

Controlled Environment System

Improvements to the construction of refrigerated shipping containers aresuch that they are tightly sealed when closed and have limitedpermeability. After loading and sealing the container, the containerwill be flushed with an inert gas to remove oxygen and provide slightpositive pressurization. The release of the stored compressed gas intothe container, in the absence of a designated vent or other outlet, isexpected to maintain slightly positive pressurization and to minimizeinfiltration of atmospheric gas into the container as required tomaintain the environment within a desired range for key parameters.

The system and apparatus of the invention relies on the release ofstored compressed gas which serves to (1) positively pressurize thecontainer thereby minimizing the introduction of uncontrolled gases fromthe outside of the container, and (2) ensure more consistentconcentrations of the composition of the mixture of gases due to theknown high purity of the one or more stored compressed gases. In someembodiments, the system and apparatus may involve minimal additionalequipment compatible with standard shipping containers. In addition, useof stored compressed gas may reduce the risk of product spoilageassociated with mechanical failure of the more complex fuel cell ormembrane based systems. Furthermore, the use of a stored compressed gasto maintain ultra low oxygen concentrations may provide the ability torelease gas across a wider range of flow rates than can practically beachieved with fuel cell or membrane based systems. This may have valuein the event of a sudden leak or influx of atmospheric gas from theexterior or interior of the container or from within product orpackaging stored within said container.

In some embodiments, the system and apparatus of controlled environmentcontainers may be used for transport or shipping perishable foodproducts. The release of stored compressed gas may occur en route whilethe perishable food products are being shipped. In some embodiments, thesystem and apparatus of controlled environment containers may be usedfor storing perishable food products. The system and apparatus ofcontrolled environment containers may be used for a time period of up to100 days. For example, the time period for transport or shipping may bebetween 10 and 30 days.

In some embodiments, the spoilage of perishable food products may be dueto oxidation or to decomposition by aerobic bacteria. In someembodiments, the perishable food products may be non-respiratory, i.e.,do not take in oxygen with the corresponding release of carbon dioxide.For example, non-respiratory perishable food products include harvestedfresh or processed fish, meat (such as beef, pork, and lamb), poultry(such as chicken, turkey, and duck), and bakery goods (such as bread,pastries, and grain-based snack foods).

In some embodiments, the system or apparatus has an ultra low oxygenconcentration. For example, the oxygen concentration may be less than6,000 ppm, less than 4,000 ppm, or less than 2,000 ppm.

In some embodiments, the system or apparatus for maintaining a lowoxygen concentration comprises a container including a plurality ofwalls. The containers are sealed such that the containers can beoperated with limited leakage of gases from the controlled environmentcontainers. In some embodiments, the container may have limited oxygenpermeability. In some embodiments, the container is a standard shippingcontainer, and in other embodiments the container is a ControlledAtmosphere (“CA”) shipping container. In some embodiments, the shippingcontainer may be refrigerated to maintain freshness of perishable foodproducts. For example, standard refrigerated shipping containers may be10 feet, 20 feet or 40 feet in length and may be 8.5 feet or 9.5 feethigh.

In some embodiments, the containers may be positively pressurized. Forexample, the pressure differential between the outside of the containerand the inside of the container may be up to about 1 inch of water(0.002 atm).

In embodiments, standard refrigerated shipping containers may beoutfitted with limited specialized equipment to monitor, control, andmaintain an ultra low oxygen environment.

In embodiments, the composition of the mixture of gases includes one ormore of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and an inert gas. Carbon dioxide iscolorless, odorless, noncombustible, and bacteriostatic, and it does notleave toxic residues on foods. Examples of inert gases include, but arenot limited, to argon, krypton, helium, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, andxenon. The composition of the mixture of gases can be varied as suitablefor the perishable food products and is well within the knowledge andskill of the art. For example, the composition of the mixture of gasesused for transport and storage of salmon is preferably 100% carbondioxide. Other fish with lower fat content, such as cod or tilapia arepreferably stored or shipped using 60% carbon dioxide and 40% nitrogenas the composition of the mixture of gases.

In embodiments, the system or apparatus includes at least one source ofcompressed or liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and one or more inertgases to maintain the composition of the mixture of gases. The releaseof gas from a compressed source into the interior of the container mayfunction to maintain a slight positive pressurization of the container'senvironment, which may be beneficial as it minimizes the rate at whichatmospheric gases would enter the container and alter the composition orincrease the oxygen level within the controlled environment. In someembodiments, the quantity of stored compressed gases is sufficient tomaintain the container's environment at an ultra low oxygenconcentration for the duration of the shipment. For example, the storedcompressed gases occupy less than 1/50 of the container volume, whichwill generally be sufficient to supply the quantity of inert gas neededto maintain the atmosphere within the desired range. In someembodiments, the system or apparatus further comprises a distributionsystem such as pipes to distribute the releases compressed gases.

In some embodiments, the source of compressed gas is within a rigidcontainer, such as a gas cylinder, contained internally to thecontainer. In some embodiments, compressed gas sources are maintained ata pressure of no greater than 6,000 psig and as low as 480 psig. Inembodiments, a source of liquid gas may also be used, wherein the liquidgas container normally includes a means of vaporizing the liquid torelease the gas at a working pressure of between 50 psig and 150 psig.

In embodiments, the system or apparatus includes one or more sensorsthat may provide traceability of key parameters of the container'senvironment. The sensors may be used to monitor the composition of themixture of gases. The sensors may be used to monitor the gasconcentrations and optionally maintain an electronic record of the gasconcentrations. The sensors may be used to monitor the temperature ofthe container and optionally maintain an electronic record of thetemperature of the container. The sensors may be used to monitor therate of use of stored compressed gases and optionally maintain anelectronic record of stored compressed gases.

In some embodiments, an oxygen sensor, for example, a trace oxygensensor (Teledyne), is used to monitor the level of oxygen present in thecontainer environment.

In some embodiments, the temperature control includes air conditioningor refrigeration. In preferred embodiments, the temperature control ispart of the shipping container. Variation in the temperature is allowedas long as the temperature is maintained within a range to preserve theperishable food products. In some embodiments, the system or apparatusfurther comprises a sensor for monitoring and/or logging the temperatureof the system or container. Such temperature sensors are commerciallyavailable from manufacturers including Sensitech, Temptale, Logtag,Dickson, Marathon, Testo, and Hobo. In some embodiments, the temperaturesensor is part of the refrigerated shipping container. In someembodiments, the temperature sensor is an accessory that may be easilyintegrated into the system or apparatus of the invention.

In embodiments, the system or apparatus includes one or more controllersto release the compressed gases into the interior of the container,wherein a variable rate of release is sufficient to maintain the ultralow oxygen concentration and to ensure consistent concentrations of themixture of gases within the container. In some embodiments, at least onecontroller may be an industrial PLC, or similar such industrialcontroller, and may be operated locally within the container. Thecontroller may trigger release of gas(es) from a stored compressed gassource(s). The controller may, as an additional feature, use aproportional means of releasing the stored compressed gas such that therate of release would be greater the further the gas concentrationwithin the container was from the desired or set level. Additionally,the controllers may release the stored compressed gas at a rate whichanticipates leakage or other sources of contribution of oxygen. In someembodiments, the controller may release the stored compressed gases at arate designed to conserve the supply of compressed stored over theanticipated duration of the shipment. In some embodiments, thecontroller may be coupled to an oxygen sensor to minimize or shut offstored compressed gas release when the oxygen level is at or below aminimum set point. The controller may have value in the event of asudden leak or influx of atmospheric gas from the exterior or interiorof the container or from within product or packaging stored within saidcontainer.

In certain embodiments, the controller may use timed or programmedrelease of stored compressed gases. In embodiments, the controller mayintegrate predictive algorithms to regulate the rate of release ofstored compressed gases. The predictive algorithms may be designed tomaintain the ultra low oxygen concentration in the event of a suddenleak or influx of atmospheric gas from the exterior or interior of thecontainer or from within product or packaging stored within saidcontainer.

In some embodiments, a power supply for the controller and sensors maybe linked to the container. In some embodiments, a power supply for thecontroller and sensors may be independent of the container.

In some embodiments, the method of releasing stored compressed gas mayrely on a standard or proportional solenoid valve. The stored compressedgas may be released into a distribution system to ensure uniformdistribution within the container.

EXEMPLIFICATION

An example implementation of the apparatus or system 200 for maintainingultra low oxygen concentration is depicted in FIG. 2. A shippingcontainer 210 has the ambient atmosphere replaced with a composition ofa mixture of gases 220, for example, one or more of nitrogen, carbondioxide, and another inert gas. The shipping container also contains atleast one source of compressed inert gas 230 with a controller 240, forexample, a regulator with a shut off valve. There is also at least onesensor 250 to monitor the composition of gases, for example, theconcentration of oxygen in the mixture of gases in the container.Optionally, additional sensors to monitor temperature, the gas mixtureconcentrations, and the rate of use of the stored gas may also beincluded. The schematic shows six cartons with perishable food products260. The perishable food products may be packaged in other forms thatare standard or accepted in the food product industry.

Another example implementation of the apparatus or system 300 formaintaining ultra low oxygen concentration is depicted in FIG. 3. Ashipping container 310 has the ambient atmosphere replaced with acomposition of a mixture of gases 320, for example, one or more ofnitrogen, carbon dioxide, and another inert gas. The shipping containeralso contains at least one source of compressed inert gas 330, which mayhave an outlet or gas port 360 to the container atmosphere. The gas port360 may be fitted with tubing with an optional valve. The gas port willbe connected to a controller 340. In example embodiments, the controlleris coupled to the oxygen sensor 350. Optionally, additional sensors tomonitor temperature, the gas mixture concentrations, and the rate of useof the stored gas may also be included.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for maintaining an ultra low oxygenconcentration to prevent spoilage of perishable food products, theapparatus comprising: an electronic controller arranged to: (i) causerelease of an inert compressed gas into an interior of a shippingcontainer containing perishable food products, the compressed gas beingreleased at a variable rate, such that the variable rate of the releasemaintains an ultra low oxygen concentration; (ii) execute predictivealgorithms to regulate the variable rate of release of the compressedgas; and (iii) receive input from one or more sensors coupled to theshipping container to monitor the composition of a mixture of gases inthe shipping container, and to maintain an electronic record of at leastone of: (a) temperature, (b) concentrations of the mixture of gases, and(c) rate of use of at least one of the mixture of gases.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is a one of astandard shipping container or a Controlled Atmosphere (“CA”)refrigerated shipping container.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the container has limited oxygen permeability.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the mixture of gases positivelypressurizes the container.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the ultra low oxygen concentration is less than 6,000 ppm. 6.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one sensor of the one ormore sensors monitors oxygen concentration.
 7. The apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein the electronic controller is coupled to the onesensor to minimize or shut off the release when oxygen level is at orbelow a minimum set point.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a power supply is linked to the container.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the pressurized container comprises a gas cylinder, andwherein a regulator and shut off valve are coupled to the gas cylinder,the electronic controller being in electrical communication to controlthe regulator and shutoff valve.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the predictive algorithms cause the ultra low oxygenconcentration to be maintained in the event of at least one of: a suddenleak or influx of atmospheric gas from the exterior, or interior of thecontainer, or from within product or packaging stored within saidcontainer.
 11. A method of maintaining an ultra low oxygen concentrationto prevent spoilage of perishable food products, the method comprising:causing release of an inert compressed gas into an interior of ashipping container containing perishable food products, the compressedgas being released at a variable rate, such that the variable rate ofthe release maintains an ultra low oxygen concentration; executing, onat least one computer processor, predictive algorithms to regulate thevariable rate of release of the compressed gas; and processing inputfrom one or more sensors coupled to the shipping container to monitorthe composition of a mixture of gases in the shipping container, and tomaintain an electronic record of at least one of: (a) temperature, (b)concentrations of the mixture of gases, and (c) rate of use of at leastone of the mixture of gases.
 12. The method according to claim 11,wherein the container is a one of a standard shipping container or aControlled Atmosphere (“CA”) refrigerated shipping container.
 13. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the container has limited oxygenpermeability.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the mixtureof gases positively pressurizes the container.
 15. The method accordingto claim 11, wherein the ultra low oxygen concentration is less than6,000 ppm.
 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein one sensor ofthe one or more sensors monitors oxygen concentration.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 16, wherein one or more controllers is coupled to theone sensor to minimize or shut off the release when oxygen level is ator below a minimum set point.
 18. The method according to claim 11,wherein a power supply is linked to the container.
 19. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the pressurized container comprises a gas cylinder,and wherein a regulator and shut off valve are coupled to the gascylinder, the electronic controller being in electrical communication tocontrol the regulator and shutoff valve.
 20. The method according toclaim 11, wherein the predictive algorithms cause the ultra low oxygenconcentration to be maintained in the event of at least one of: a suddenleak or influx of atmospheric gas from the exterior, or interior of thecontainer, or from within product or packaging stored within saidcontainer.